3CorsaMeal 
Member 
 
Registered: 11th Apr 02
 
User status: Offline 
 
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what are the advantages/disadvantages of buying an import car, they seem quite cheap. 
 
 
how does one go about buying one and do they have to have anything extra to get insured etc? 
 
don't know how it all works basically 
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Jambo 
Member 
 
Registered: 8th Sep 01
 Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic 
User status: Offline 
 
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I want an STI Type R. 
 
Ive heard insurance with import cars can be a nightmare.  
 
 
This is all my knolledge so far, ask gibbs  
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S1MON 
Member 
 
Registered: 9th Nov 01
 Location: Woodley, Berkshire 
User status: Offline 
 
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yer insurance is more for an imported car, but you need to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages!! 
 
you do get cars alot chepaer but most come with little or no service history, run on super unleaded and can be expensive for parts 
 
you get a lot of poo motors coming across, but its all dependant on what your after...... 
 
[Edited on 03-05-2005 by S1MON]
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jr 
Member 
 
Registered: 20th May 02
 Location: Kent 
User status: Offline 
 
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i want a suzuki alto works, but no one wants to import one for me  
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Pablo 
Member 
 
Registered: 3rd Feb 03
 Location: Milton Keynes 
User status: Offline 
 
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How much of a nitemare? ALOT more or just slightly?
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Drew 
Banned 
 
Registered: 24th Nov 01
 Location: County Durham 
User status: Offline 
 
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insuraces ive heard is 'generally' 30% more than the same uk car
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Xs 
Member 
 
Registered: 12th Apr 02
 Location: Lanarkshire 
User status: Offline 
 
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i just bought a supra TT import...  
 
my insurance isnt a prob because i no sum1 v.well in a insurance company 
 
my car is a fresh import ... i couldnt beleive the condition its in,,underneath the car its perfect aswell as the engine bay it almost seems like a new car! 
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Swiftie 
Member 
 
Registered: 7th Jan 05
 Location: Greater London 
User status: Offline 
 
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Been looking into this myself and apart from seeing a few shoddy websites. Any one have any good sources?
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Colin 
Member 
 
Registered: 4th Apr 02
 
User status: Offline 
 
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quote: Originally posted by Drew 
insuraces ive heard is 'generally' 30% more than the same uk car 
   
 
Almost 50% more for a Scooby WRX than a UK Scooby for me @ 21yrs old!
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CORSA NUT 
Member 
 
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
 Location: Wirral 
User status: Offline 
 
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Yeah they wanted only 1.5K ish for me on a UK but the WRX was 2K. 
 
I couldn't really afford a UK and there were LOADS of WRX's so i went for the quicker option   
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CORSA NUT 
Member 
 
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
 Location: Wirral 
User status: Offline 
 
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Oh and Elephant were the ONLY company in the country that would insure a 24 year old on a WRX import. 
 
Rest said 25+
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Colin 
Member 
 
Registered: 4th Apr 02
 
User status: Offline 
 
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quote: Originally posted by CORSA NUT 
Yeah they wanted only 1.5K ish for me on a UK but the WRX was 2K. 
 
I couldn't really afford a UK and there were LOADS of WRX's so i went for the quicker option    
   
 
Yours wont be that much quicker than mine Al....I went for the under £600 insurance option   
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mav 
Member 
 
Registered: 19th Jun 01
 Location: Scotland 
User status: Offline 
 
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is there not a few members on here who import... 
 
nik and ????
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simonp 
Member 
 
Registered: 12th Jan 01
 Location: Portishead       Drives:Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo 
User status: Offline 
 
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quote: Originally posted by S1MON 
yer insurance is more for an imported car, but you need to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages!! 
 
you do get cars alot chepaer but most come with little or no service history, run on super unleaded and can be expensive for parts 
 
you get a lot of poo motors coming across, but its all dependant on what your after...... 
 
[Edited on 03-05-2005 by S1MON] 
   
 
Depends what type of import you go for. I'm importing a Gen 4 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 sometime over the summer. I have found that the insurance is comparable to what I'm paying for my V6 Astra. So that's not bad for a 300bhp RWD car. 
 
Grey or 'Jap' imports as seen as something slightly different by insurance companies. Not sure why though.
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Colin 
Member 
 
Registered: 4th Apr 02
 
User status: Offline 
 
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quote: Originally posted by mav 
is there not a few members on here who import... 
 
nik and Gibbs 
   
 
  
 
Me and AK chatted about trying it out a while back, halfers on a car to sell....didnt go anywhere tho + now im skint again  
 
Good way to earn a few bob tho 
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nik 
Member 
 
Registered: 19th Jun 00
 
User status: Offline 
 
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I import cars as Mav says, my website is www.maxsportmotors.co.uk give me a shout if you'd like any info   Insurance used to be tricky but with the amount of cars coming in I think insurance companys have become a lot easier to deal with now when insuring a 'grey' import. 
 
Benefits - cheaper, JDM cars are usually better spec'd than UK vehicles, usually lower mileage, don't suffer from rust etc etc
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Colin 
Member 
 
Registered: 4th Apr 02
 
User status: Offline 
 
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http://maxsportmotors.co.uk/www/html/cars/seth.html 
 
Seth selling his shcooby??? 
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nik 
Member 
 
Registered: 19th Jun 00
 
User status: Offline 
 
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He was yeah, although I'm not sure whats happened not spoken to him for a while! Let me know Sethal  
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AK 
Member 
 
Registered: 5th Jul 00
 Location: Aberdeen City 
User status: Offline 
 
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They tend to be lower milage cars, no rust etc. 
 
Alot of shoddy imports will import crash repaired (not serious damage) and sell them on..... ASK to see auction grades etc.... my supra was a 4, the impreza is a 4.5.... think the skyline might have been a 3 
 
Fiona - just turned 23, full comp, protected NCD - £850 on impreza typeR 
 
my ins over the years 
 
age - car - cost 
 
21/22 - supra mkIV TT - £1600 
22/23 - supra mkIV TT - £1000 
23/24 - R33 Skyline - £1300 
24/25 - R33 Skyline - £980 
 
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Stuckey 
Member 
 
Registered: 5th Jun 02
 Location: Plumstead, Greater London 
User status: Offline 
 
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imports arent undersealed or something also
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bradfincham 
Member 
 
Registered: 20th Sep 02
 Location: East Of England  Drives: Clio 172 
User status: Offline 
 
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yeh but how long does it take to get under a car with some waxoil each summer
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Stuckey 
Member 
 
Registered: 5th Jun 02
 Location: Plumstead, Greater London 
User status: Offline 
 
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dunno
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nik 
Member 
 
Registered: 19th Jun 00
 
User status: Offline 
 
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A lot are usually under sealed when under going SVA tests etc - doesn't cost much to do. With regards to gradings, anything a 4 or over is a very nice/tidy car. Same with anything, you pays your money..
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